Great assessment by Newsweek:
With the Proposition 8 fight, Obama has fallen short in a different way, by his reluctance to join an emerging social consensus. Obama had previously criticized California’s Proposition 8, the ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage, as “divisive.” But his official position — which no one believes he actually holds — is that he is against legalizing gay marriage. Americans are changing their views on this issue with inspiring rapidity. Judge Vaughn Walker’s moving opinion provided an occasion for Obama to embrace the extension of equal rights to gay people. Instead, he slunk mumbling in the other direction. How dismal that America’s first black president will be remembered as shirking the last great civil-rights struggle.
The entire story can be read, if you click these magic, highlighted words.
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Actualy, muslims will be the last great civil rights struggle.
Comment by Ben in Oakland — September 5, 2010 @ 2:47 am
I disagree Ben. Muslims have equal rights, gays do not – muslims have no civil rights struggle.
Comment by Priya Lynn — September 5, 2010 @ 9:35 am
I think it’s complex, actually. Gays may not be treated equally under the law, but I think a lot of gay couples are treated better if they move to the suburbs than a similar Muslim family would be. Of course, it just depends on where you live.
In Memphis, a mosque/community center is being built in the suburbs, next to a church, and the pastor there is actually being a model of tolerance, actively, and no one here seems to care enough to make a fuss. [Knock on wood.]
Meanwhile, 3 hours away in Nashville, a mosque construction site was torched. So.
Comment by Evan Hurst — September 5, 2010 @ 10:15 am
Barack Obama says gays should have equal rights; but, he doesn’t approve of them having the right to regular marriage licenses.
Comment by Joe-Allen — September 5, 2010 @ 11:25 am
Yep, because he’s a wuss, like I said. No one in their right mind, again, thinks Barack Obama is personally against marriage equality. It’s called “political homophobia,” and it’s something most Democrats have.
Comment by Evan Hurst — September 5, 2010 @ 11:45 am
I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one.
Comment by Buffy — September 5, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Evan, though I agree with your assessment of how Muslim families would be treated–it’s a matter of rights–legal rights. So while I agree that Muslims need to fight a PR battle–at this time there’s nothing in US laws that stop them from marrying, working or living wherever they want.
Comment by Daniel — September 6, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
I think the struggle of Muslims is much like the struggle of Jews was (and unfortunately still is in many places, even in the Land of the Free). With legal rights, but plenty of social prejudice to counteract those rights.
Comment by Emily K — September 6, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
Oh, I know, Daniel. I’m just saying that there’s a complexity here, and a lot of gray area, and that Muslims, in a lot of ways, though they have legal recognition that we don’t for certain things, are still in a lot of danger of being discriminated against just for living their lives.
Comment by Evan Hurst — September 6, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
And: What Emily said.
Comment by Evan Hurst — September 6, 2010 @ 4:06 pm